QR code scavenger hunt @ PP Beach

Kids scanned QR bodes for clues in Point Pleasant Beach’s scavenger hunt Wednesday July 30th.

TOMS RIVER –Ocean County Library’s Point Pleasant Beach branch, 710 McLean Ave., introduced the “QR Code Scavenger Hunt” to children, ages 9 and up, on Wednesday July 30.

Children arrived at the library with their smart phones and tablets to compete in the scavenger hunt. The library provided information and helped children download the free app to their smart device.

The app helped the children complete the scavenger hunt when it used the device’s camera to read the QR code, or quick response code, and upload the next clue.

At the end of the scavenger hunt, the children received a chance for prizes donated from Jenkinson’s Aquarium.

Breakwater Beach: “Chemistry of a Water Park” presented @ Island Heights

TOMS RIVER – A representative from Breakwater Beach, a waterpark in Seaside Heights, presented “Chemistry of a Water Park” Tuesday, July 29 at Ocean County Library’s Island Heights branch.

Christine Palma, the park’s general manager, hosted the event for children ages six to 10 and discussed water filtration, degreasing, pool cleaning and maintaining pH and chlorine levels.

The event concluded with a demonstration of pH testing, and a visit from Breakwater Beach mascot Slider.

Franklin Institute’s “Motion & Machines” presented in Toms River

Franklin Institute’s Joe Talento led kids through experiments to illustrate physics concepts at the Toms River branch.

TOMS RIVER – Franklin Institute’s Traveling Science Show presented “Motion & Machines” at the Toms River branch of the Ocean County Library Friday July 28.

Presenter Joe Talento guided the young audience through basic scientific concepts including gravity, force, mass, displacement, inertia, word, leverage, and Newton’s Laws.

Using various props, employing visual learning techniques, and drawing on his ability to get the children to participate in his experiments Talento made the advanced physics topics easy for the children to understand.

“Getting Older & Staying Fit” presented at Manchester

MANCHESTER – The Center for Healthy Aging at Monmouth Medical Campus South (formerly Kimball Medical Center) presented “Getting Older and Staying Healthy” at the Manchester branch of the Ocean County Library (21 Colonial Drive) Monday, July 28.

Health coaches gave an overview of physical and mental health conditions associated with aging and offered tips to prevent them. They emphasized the importance of exercise, physical therapy, healthy social life, and maintaining open communication with one’s health care provider.

Light refreshments were served.

The Center for Healthy Aging will repeat this program 2 p.m. Tuesday Sept. 16 at the Jackson branch, 2 Jackson Drive.

The program is free and open to the public but registration is required. To register telephone the branch 732-928-4400 or go to the library’s website http://www.theoceancountylibrary.org, click on the “Events & News” icon, then click on “Calendar of Events.”

Air Force pilot shares adventures in flight during visit to Ocean County Library

 

Air Force Captain Lynn Grady described  her life as a pilot as an exciting and rewarding career during her recent visit to the Little Egg Harbor Branch of the Ocean County Library. 

Captain Grady shared her adventures in flight through several amazing photos incorporated into a PowerPoint presentation on July 22.

Six children and five adults listened to the description of the aircraft she piloted. Many were amazed that 40 elephants could fit inside the plane that she flew on a regular basis.

“She was very personable and related to the children well,’’ Youth Services Librarian Donna Majchrzak said.

Majchrzak said there was a lively question and answer period held at the end of the presentation.  “The parents and children asked some interesting questions and received direct responses to their questions.’’

The captain’s visit to OCL was made possible through an ongoing partnership with the Joint Military Base. 

“I contacted the Public Relations Department at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in February to set up the speaking engagement for children.  I was contacted early in July with a confirmation of the program and the name of the pilot,’’ Majchrzak said.

“We are very grateful for her outreach, and wish her much success in her career,’’ Majchrzak said.

Blue to You van traveled to the Lacey branch

Nurse Kathleen Hedden, RN-BSE, administered health screenings at Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield’s “Blue to You Van” Monday, July 28 at the Lacey branch.

TOMS RIVER – Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield’s “Blue to You Van” traveled to the Lacey branch of the Ocean County Library on Monday July 28.

Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, a health insurance provider, promoted health and wellness education to the community through the “Blue to You Van.” The van offered Ocean County residents the opportunity to drop in for free health screenings like blood pressure and glucose level readings by a registered nurse, and ask questions about their health care coverage.

In addition to the van visits Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield presents programs, such as its “Table for One” and “Managing Diabetes” presentations, that are free and open to the public but registration is required. To register for those programs telephone the branch or go to the library’s website http://www.theoceancountylibrary.org , click on the “Events & News” icon, then click on “Calendar of Events.”

Upcoming Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield and the “Blue to You Van” visits include:
Plumsted branch, 119 Evergreen Rd., New Egypt, 609-758-7888, “Table for One,”
11 a.m. Tue. Aug. 5
Berkeley branch, 30 Station Rd., Bayville, 732-269-2144, “Blue to You Van,” 12 p.m.-2 p.m. Fri. Aug. 15
Stafford branch, 129 N. Main St., Manahawkin, 609-597-3381, “Managing Diabetes,” 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Fri. Aug. 22
Manchester branch, 21 Colonial Dr., 732-657-7600, “Blue to You Van,” 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Fri. Sept. 19
Long Beach Island branch, 217 S. Central Avenue, Surf City, 609-494-2480, “Blue to You Van,” 10 a.m. Fri. Sept. 26
Barnegat branch, 112 Burr St., 609-698-3331, “Blue to You Van,” 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Fri. Oct. 24
Manchester branch, 21 Colonial Dr., 732- 657-7600, “Blue to You Van,” 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. Fri. Dec. 19.

The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) in 97 Minutes!

TOMS RIVER – Ocean County Library will present a fast-paced romp through the Bard’s plays in “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged)” performed by The Toms River High School South Thespian Troupe.
Join this hilarious troupe of talented young men as they irreverently weave their way through all of Shakespeare’s comedies, histories and tragedies in one wild ride: all 37 Plays in 97 Minutes!
The Toms River High School South Thespian Troupe models the tradition of a Shakespearean Elizabethan traveling theatrical company, bringing its work into the community and touring with minimalistic setting, lighting and only three actors who will perform multiple roles.
The production will be performed at five library branches throughout the summer from July 31 through August 14. All members of the public are welcome to attend these free performances.
Performances will be held at the following branches:
Brick, 301 Chambers Bridge Rd., 732-477-4513 Thur. July 31
Toms River, 101 Washington St., 732-349-6200 or 609-971-0514 Wed. Aug. 6
Manchester, 21 Colonial Dr., 732-657-7600, Thur. Aug. 7
Barnegat, 112 Burr St., 609-698-3331 Wed. Aug 13
Jackson, 2 Jackson Dr., 732-928-4400 Thur. Aug. 14.
The programs are free and open to the public but registration is required. To register telephone the branch or go to the library Web site: http://www.theoceancountylibrary.org , click on the “Events & News” icon, then click on “Calendar of Events.” All performances begin promptly at 6:30 pm and there is no reserved seating.

Dr. Gravity visits the Jackson branch

Having trouble finishing your summer reading? Take a lesson from Dr. Gravity and inspire your own curiosity. Dr. Gravity uses his eyes, his heart, and his head to make learning an adventure. It’s like Dr. Gravity says, “A lot of curiosity will get you from this [the beginning of a book] to that [the end of a book].

John Sebastian to sing at the LBI branch 8/9

John Sebastian performed at our Jackson branch last August.

The Ocean County Library’s Long Beach Island branch, 217 S. Central Ave, Surf City, will host an outdoor concert featuring Rock and Roll Hall of Famer John Sebastian Saturday Aug. 9 at 7 p.m.
The concert is free and open to the public. Chairs will not be available so bring your own lawn chairs.
Sebastian will play songs that span four decades.
He is best known for his group The Lovin’ Spoonful that played a major part in the mid-60s rock revolution. The band’s first seven singles charted to the Top 10 with their mix of rock, blues, country and folk.
During the band’s hay-day they were known for their unique “roots music” sound in such classics as “Do You Believe in Magic” and “Summer in the City.” Sebastian left the group in 1968 and gave a solo performance at the Woodstock music festival in 1969.
Since then he has collaborated with a wide variety of musicians ranging from The Doors to Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young.
In 1976 his song “Welcome Back” became a number one single and was the theme to the television sitcom “Welcome Back, Kotter.” The song and Sebastian were introduced to a new generation of fans in 2004 when the song was incorporated into the rapper Mase’s hit single “Welcome Back.”
Sebastian was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of The Lovin’ Spoonful in 2000.
His induction into the Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame hasn’t slowed him down. Whether the stage is at Carnegie Hall or a folk festival in some far-flung locale, he is still out there spreading his gospel of American roots music.

Bright & Beautiful Therapy Dogs visit Pt. Pleasant Beach

The Bright & Beautiful Therapy Dogs visited Point Pleasant Beach July 16th. Fifteen children and 12 adults braved the rainy day to come in to the library to read to a variety of licensed therapy dogs, including golden retrievers and a pair of border collie siblings. The program brought in experienced and beginner readers. It was harder to tell who enjoyed the program more, the dogs, the children, or the adults!